British Gas plans 2,600 new green jobs by 2012

"British Gas plans 2,600 new green jobs by 2012(Reporting by Michael Kahn; editing by William Hardyvia Reuters)LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) - Centrica's (CNA.L) British Gas plans to create
2,600 jobs over the next three years to help introduce so-called ""smart
meters"" in British homes, the company said on Wednesday.The new workers will install the smart meters and help homeowners
understand how the devices can potentially help reduce energy use, and save
money on monthly bills.Britain plans to replace all existing electricity and gas meters -- often
clunky objects hidden away amid domestic clutter in dark cupboards -- with
easily viewed devices that show consumers exactly how much energy they are
using, including by individual appliances.The hope is people will change their behaviour to save money. The meters
will also help homeowners sell electricity from green technologies like
roof-top wind turbines back to the grid while improving energy demand
forecasts and network management.Smart meters are seen as a first step toward creating ""smart grids"" where
consumers can adjust electricity use to benefit from cheaper energy at
times of low demand, including charging electric cars, and reduce
consumption at peak times.""Today's announcement of 2,600 new jobs by 2012 shows we are creating
skilled green jobs in Britain and training the experts who will help
customers become more energy efficient in the future,"" Phil Bentley,
managing direct at British Gas said in a statement.The British government estimates that smart meters could deliver net
benefits of between 2.5 million pounds and 3.6 million pounds over the next
20 years.In April, the government set a 2020 target to cut Britain's greenhouse gas
emissions by 34 percent compared with 1990 levels. But the necessary
renewable energy growth and efficiency improvements have so far been small.The new British Gas workers will advise customers on the range of rates
available, conduct energy efficiency audits and provide tips on how to cut
energy use.The 2,600 new jobs are in addition to the 1,500 new green jobs the company
announced earlier this year.For the very latest green jobs across the U.K. and globally please click
here"